Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope system to separate a part of a living
tissue therefrom in a body cavity under observation with an endoscope and gather the
separated tissue by suction.
Background Art
[0002] Heretofore, an endoscope system has been used, the endoscope system to separate a
part of a living tissue therefrom in a body cavity under observation with an endoscope
by use of an endoscopic accessory and gather the separated tissue by suction so that
the gathered tissue is used in a pathological examination.
[0003] As the endoscopic accessory in such an endoscope system, for example, a high-frequency
snare is used. In the high-frequency snare, a polyp, a mucosal tissue or the like
is tightened with a loop at a distal end of the snare, and a high-frequency current
is passed through the loop to cut the polyp, the mucosal tissue or the like.
[0004] Moreover, to suck and gather the tissue, the following device is used. For example,
an endoscope and a suction bottle are used to suck and gather the tissue. That is,
in the endoscope, an operating portion is provided at a proximal end of an insertion
portion insertable into the body cavity, and this operating portion is connected to
a controller for controlling the endoscope via a connecting portion. A suction passage
passes from a distal end of the insertion portion through the insertion portion, the
operating portion and the connecting portion to communicate with the suction bottle,
and the tissue is sucked and gathered into the suction bottle via the suction passage.
In
U.S. Pat. No. 5624418, a gather device is disclosed, the gather device to be arranged in front of such
a suction bottle and separate and capture the tissue from blood, soil and the like
being sucked together with the tissue. In Jpn. Utility Model Appln. KOKAI Publication
No.
62-74804, a mesh basket is disclosed, the mesh basket to be detachably interposed in a suction
passage at an operating portion of an endoscope and separate and capture the tissue
from the blood, the soil and the like. In such an endoscope, a path through which
the tissue is sucked is short, and hence the tissue is scarcely damaged during the
suction.
[0005] Furthermore, in paragraphs "0099" to "0117" of Detailed Description of the Invention
in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
11-226024, an endoscope system is disclosed to suck and gather a tissue using an endoscopic
accessory and a specimen trap. That is, in the endoscopic accessory, a suction lumen
is formed in a sheath insertable into the body cavity, and the specimen trap is connected
to a proximal end of the suction lumen. Thus, the tissue is sucked into the specimen
trap via the suction lumen, and then separated and captured from blood, soil and the
like by a specimen filter disposed in the specimen trap.
Disclosure of Invention
[0006] In the endoscope of Jpn. Utility Model KOKAI Publication No.
62-74804, when sucking and gathering of the tissue is not performed, the mesh basket is detached.
For example, when blood and such are sucked and gathered before sucking and gathering
the tissue, the mesh basket needs to be detached to prevent clogging of the mesh basket.
However, the mesh basket is small and easily lost. Therefore, attention needs to be
paid so that the mesh basket is not lost.
[0007] Moreover, in the endoscopic accessory according to Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication
No.
11-226024, the suction lumen is formed in the sheath. Therefore, a cross sectional area of
the suction lumen orthogonal to a longitudinal axial direction thereof is small, and
a suction and gather efficiency is poor.
[0008] Furthermore, in endoscope systems according to Jpn. Utility Model KOKAI Publication
No.
62-74804 and Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
11-226024, the mesh basket and the specimen filter for capturing the tissue are separate from
and independent of the endoscopic accessory. Therefore, when the endoscope system
is prepared, the mesh basket or the specimen filter and the endoscopic accessory need
to be prepared separately, and hence preparation of the endoscope system becomes laborious.
[0009] JP 2005/211453, which is considered to represent the most relevant prior art, discloses an endoscope
comprising a forceps channel communicating between the insides of an insertion part
and an operation part, the tip of which is open to the tip of the insertion part and
a base is connected to forceps port disposed at the operation part. A treating instrument
can be inserted into the operation part via the forceps. A suction pipeline is provided
having an open end near the forceps port.
[0010] DE 199 06 592 discloses an instrument for the use in combination with an endoscope. The instrument
comprises a suction lumen in a sheath of the instrument that is airtight connected
to a distal end of a slider an communicates with a collecting port via a slider. A
collecting system includes a water supply unit and a sample collecting unit, which
are to be coupled to an operation section of the instrument. A sample trap is provided
in the sample collecting unit. A sample filter is provided in an sample trap and a
water reservoir as well as collecting port are provided below the trap.
[0011] The present invention has been developed in view of the above problems, and an object
thereof is to provide an endoscope system wherein a capture portion to capture a tissue
is not easily lost, a suction and gather efficiency is high, and preparation of the
endoscope system is easily.
[0012] The invention is defined in independent claim 1. An endoscope system embodying the
invention includes: an endoscope; and an endoscopic accessory, the endoscope including:
an elongated insertion portion insertable from a distal end thereof into a body cavity;
an operating portion connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion; a channel
provided at the insertion portion and the operating portion, of which a distal end
forms a distal opening at the distal end of the insertion portion, of which a proximal
end forms a proximal opening at the operating portion, and used for at least suction;
and a suction duct provided at the operating portion, of which a distal end forms
a suction opening at the operating portion, and of which a proximal end is connected
to a suction device, and
the endoscopic accessory including: an elongated accessory insertion portion insertable
from a distal end thereof into the body cavity; a treatment portion provided at the
distal end of the accessory insertion portion and to separate a part of a living tissue
therefrom; and a capture portion to be connected to the accessory insertion portion
and detachably attachable to the operating portion of the endoscope, and the capture
portion including: a communication path to communicate the proximal opening with the
suction opening when the capture portion is attached to the endoscope; and capture
means interposed in the communication path and to capture the tissue being sucked
from the channel into the suction duct.
[0013] In this endoscope system, the capture portion of the endoscopic accessory is attached
to the operating portion of the endoscope. Under observation with the endoscope, the
accessory insertion portion of the endoscopic accessory is inserted into the body
cavity, a part of the living tissue is separated therefrom by the treatment portion,
the separated tissue is sucked into the channel from the distal opening of the distal
end of the insertion portion, and the tissue being sucked from the channel into the
suction duct is captured by the capture means in the communication path.
[0014] Preferably, in an endoscope system embodying the invention the capture portion is
connected to the accessory insertion portion so that the accessory insertion portion
is movable forward and backward in a longitudinal axial direction of the accessory
insertion portion with respect to the capture portion.
[0015] In this endoscope system, in a state wherein the capture portion of the endoscopic
accessory is attached to the operating portion of the endoscope, the accessory insertion
portion is moved forward and backward with respect to the capture portion to be inserted
into the body cavity.
[0016] More preferably such endoscope system further comprises switch means for switching
the endoscopic accessory between a fixed state wherein the accessory insertion portion
is fixed to the capture portion and a released state wherein the fixing is released.
[0017] In this endoscope system, in a case other than a case wherein the accessory insertion
portion is used, the accessory insertion portion is fixed to the capture portion.
[0018] More preferably in such endoscope system the switch means brings the endoscopic accessory
into the fixed state when the capture portion is detached from the endoscope and brings
the endoscopic accessory into the released state when the capture portion is attached
to the endoscope.
[0019] In this endoscope system, when the capture portion is attached to the operating portion
of the endoscope, the fixing of the accessory insertion portion with respect to the
capture portion is released.
[0020] More preferably in such endoscope system, the channel is configured so that the accessory
insertion portion is insertable through the channel from the proximal opening, and
the capture portion is configured to be arranged at the distal end of the accessory
insertion portion, and a distal end surface of the accessory insertion portion is
arranged so as to face the proximal opening when the capture portion is arranged at
the distal end of the accessory insertion portion and attached to the endoscope.
[0021] In this endoscope system, when the capture portion is arranged at the distal end
of the accessory insertion portion and the capture portion of the endoscopic accessory
is attached to the operating portion of the endoscope, the distal end surface of the
accessory insertion portion of the endoscopic accessory is arranged so as to face
the proximal opening of the endoscope. Therefore, through forward movement of the
accessory insertion portion with respect to the capture portion, the accessory insertion
portion is inserted into the proximal opening and through the channel.
[0022] More preferably in such endoscope system, the endoscope further includes another
channel provided at the insertion portion and the operating portion, of which a distal
end forms another distal opening at the distal end of the insertion portion, of which
a proximal end forms another proximal opening at the operating portion and through
which the accessory insertion portion is insertable from the other proximal opening.
[0023] In this endoscope system, the accessory insertion portion of the endoscopic accessory
is inserted through the other channel of the endoscope insertable into the body cavity.
[0024] In an endoscope system embodying the present invention, the capture portion to capture
the tissue is not easily lost, a suction and gather efficiency is high, and preparation
of the endoscope system is facilitated.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an endoscope of an endoscope system according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a connecter and a plug member of the endoscope
of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a high-frequency snare of the endoscope system according
to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the high-frequency snare of
the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state before a trap portion
of the high-frequency snare is attached to the connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope
system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state wherein the trap portion
of the high-frequency snare is attached to the connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope
system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a capture of a polyp at the
trap portion of the high-frequency snare in the endoscope system according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state wherein a trap is detached from the trap portion
of the high-frequency snare in the endoscope system according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view showing a connecter and a plug member of an endoscope
of an endoscope system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view along the IXB-IXB line of FIG. 9A, showing the connecter
and the plug member of the endoscope of the endoscope system according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a high-frequency snare of the endoscope system according
to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross sectional view along the XI-XI line of FIG. 10, showing
a first connection member and its periphery of the high-frequency snare according
to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state wherein the first connecting
portion of the high-frequency snare is detached from the insertion connecter of the
endoscope in the endoscope system according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state wherein the first connecting
portion of the high-frequency snare is attached to the insertion connecter of the
endoscope in the endoscope system according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross sectional view viewed in an arrow XIV direction of
FIG. 13, showing a state wherein a trap portion of the high-frequency snare is attached
to the connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope system according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an endoscope and a plug member of an endoscope
system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16A is a side view showing the high-frequency snare of the endoscope system according
to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16B is a top view showing a distal end of the high-frequency snare of the endoscope
system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a trap portion and its periphery of the high-frequency
snare of the endoscope system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18A is a longitudinal cross sectional view along the XVIIIA- XVIIIA line of FIG.
16A, showing a third connection member and its periphery of the high-frequency snare
of the endoscope system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18B is a longitudinal cross sectional view along the XVIIIB- XVIIIB line of FIG.
16B, showing the third connection member of the high-frequency snare of the endoscope
system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18C is a transverse cross sectional view showing the third connection member
and its periphery of the high-frequency snare of the endoscope system according to
the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state before a trap portion of the high-frequency
snare is attached to the connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope system according
to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state wherein the trap portion
of the high-frequency snare is attached to the connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope
system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state before the third connection
member of the high-frequency snare is attached to the second insertion connecter of
the endoscope in the endoscope system according to the third embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 22A is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state wherein the third
connection member of the high-frequency snare is attached to the second insertion
connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope system according to the third embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 22B is another longitudinal cross sectional view showing a state wherein the
third connection member of the high-frequency snare is attached to the second insertion
connecter of the endoscope in the endoscope system according to the third embodiment
of the present invention; and
FIG. 22C is a transverse cross sectional view showing a state wherein the third connection
member of the high-frequency snare is attached to the second insertion connecter of
the endoscope in the endoscope system according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
[0026] A first embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference
to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an endoscope 24 of an endoscope system according
to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, this endoscope 24 includes an elongated
insertion portion 26 insertable into a body cavity. A proximal end of this insertion
portion 26 is provided with an operating portion 28 to be held and operated by an
operator. A connecting portion 30 is extended from this operating portion 28, and
an extended end of this connecting portion 30 is connected to a control unit 32 for
controlling the endoscope 24. It is to be noted that the control unit 32 is provided
with a light source for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 24 and the like.
[0027] A channel 34a for insertion of various accessories and suction is formed over the
insertion portion 26 and the operating portion 28. A distal end of this channel 34a
forms a distal opening 36a at a distal end of the insertion portion 26, and a proximal
end of the channel 34a forms an insertion port 36d as a proximal opening at an insertion
connecter 38a of the operating portion 28. A suction duct 34d for the suction is formed
over the operating portion 28 and the connecting portion 30. A distal end of this
suction duct 34d forms a suction opening 36g in a suction connecter 38d provided in
the vicinity of the insertion connecter 38a. A proximal end of the suction duct 34d
extends to the extended end of the connecting portion 30, and is connected to a suction
device such as a suction bottle.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a plug member 40 formed of an elastic material such as a rubber
is detachably attached to the insertion connecter 38a and the suction connecter 38d.
One end of a communication path 42 formed at this plug member 40 is provided with
a first engagement portion 44a to be engaged with the insertion connecter 38a airtightly
to communicate the insertion port 36d with the communication path 42. The other end
of the communication path 42 is provided with a second engagement portion 44b to be
engaged with the suction connecter 38d airtightly to communicate the suction opening
36g with the communication path 42. A branch path is extended from the communication
path 42 so as to lengthen the channel 34a in a state wherein the plug member 40 is
attached to the insertion connecter 38a, and the branch path opens at an outer surface
of the plug member 40 to form a channel opening 46 into which various accessories
is insertable. The plug member 40 is provided with a lid member 48 to detachably cover
the channel opening 46 to close the channel opening 46 airtightly.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a state wherein the plug member 40 is attached to
the endoscope 24 and the lid member 48 is attached to the channel opening 46, the
channel 34a communicates with the suction duct 34d via the communication path 42 to
allow the suction from the distal opening 36a of the distal end of the insertion portion
26, through the channel 34a, the communication path 42 and the suction duct 34d. Moreover,
in a state wherein the lid member 48 is detached from the channel opening 46, various
accessories is insertable into the insertion port 36d from the channel opening 46,
through the channel 34a and protruded from the distal opening 36a. In this manner,
through the attachment of the plug member 40 to the endoscope 24, the endoscope 24
can be used alone.
[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a high-frequency snare 50 as the endoscopic accessory of the endoscope
system according to the present embodiment. This high-frequency snare 50 includes
a snare portion 52 for cutting a polyp or the like in a body cavity. This snare portion
52 includes a sheath 56 as an accessory insertion portion insertable into the body
cavity. An operation wire 58 is inserted through this sheath 56, and a proximal end
of this operation wire 58 is connected to a slider 64 of a snare operating portion
60 provided at a proximal end of the sheath 56. The operation wire 58 is movable forward
and backward through forward and backward movement of the slider 64 with respect to
a main body portion 62 of the snare operating portion 60. It is to be noted that the
proximal end of the operation wire 58 is connected to an electrode 66 in the slider
64, and through connecting a high-frequency power source to this electrode 66, a high-frequency
current can be passed through the operation wire 58.
[0031] On the other hand, a distal end of the operation wire 58 is connected to a cutting
wire 70 as a treatment portion via a connection chip 68. The high-frequency current
is to be passed through this cutting wire 70 via the operation wire 58 and the connection
chip 68. The cutting wire 70 is beforehand kinked so that the cutting wire 70 is elastically
deformed to be crushed into an elongated shape when the operation wire 58 is moved
backward and drawn into the sheath 56 and the cutting wire 70 is expanded and opened
into a loop shape when the operation wire 58 is moved forward and protruded from the
sheath 56.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a trap portion 72 as a capture portion is connected to
the snare portion 52 of the high-frequency snare 50, the trap portion 72 to be attached
to the endoscope 24, and separate and capture the polyp or the like being sucked from
the channel 34a to the suction duct 34d, from blood, soil and the like.
[0033] In the trap portion 72, inner cavities of a first connection member 74a, an insertion
tube 76, a side tube 78, a case 80 and a second connection member 74b form a communication
path 82 to communicate the channel 34a with the suction duct 34d when the trap portion
72 is attached to the endoscope 24. That is, the trap portion 72 is provided with
the first connection member 74a formed of an elastic material and to be connected
to the insertion connecter 38a of the endoscope 24 airtightly to communicate the insertion
port 36d with the communication path 82. This first connection member 74a is integrally
connected to one end of the insertion tube 76 formed of an elastic material. This
insertion tube 76 is connected to the case 80 via the side tube 78 extending in a
radial direction of the insertion tube 76. This case 80 is formed of a transparent
material and the inside of the case can be observed. Moreover, a trap 84 is detachably
attached to the case 80, and this trap 84 is provided with a mesh portion 86 as a
capture means to be interposed in the communication path 82, and separate and capture
the polyp or the like being sucked along the communication path 82, from the blood,
the soil and the like. Then, the second connection member 74b is connected to the
case 80, the second connection member 74b formed of an elastic material and to be
connected to the suction connecter 38d of the endoscope 24 airtightly to communicate
the communication path 82 with the suction opening 36g.
[0034] Moreover, the sheath 56 of the snare portion 52 is connected to the trap portion
72 so that the sheath 56 is movable forward and backward in a longitudinal axial direction
thereof. That is, the sheath 56 is extractably inserted through inner cavities of
the insertion tube 76 and the first connection member 74a and movable forward and
backward in the longitudinal axial direction thereof. It is to be noted that at the
end of the insertion tube 76 opposite to the first connection member 74a, an end opening
is closed through elastic deformation when the sheath 56 is extracted, to keep the
communication path 82 airtight.
[0035] Furthermore, the sheath 56 of the snare portion 52 is fixed to the trap portion 72
when the trap portion 72 is detached from the endoscope 24 and this fixing is released
when the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope 24. That is, an engagement groove
88 is formed at an outer peripheral surface of the sheath 56 of the snare portion
52, and an engagement member 90 to engage with the engagement groove 88 of the sheath
56 so as to engage the sheath 56 with the first connection member 74a is protruded
from an inner peripheral surface of the first connection member 74a of the trap portion
72. It is to be noted that the arrangement of the engagement groove 88 with respect
to the longitudinal axial direction of the sheath 56 is set so that the distal end
of the sheath 56 does not protrude from the endoscope 24 in a state wherein the sheath
56 is inserted into the channel 34a of the endoscope 24 and the trap portion 72 is
attached to the endoscope 24. On the other hand, when the trap portion 72 is attached
to the endoscope 24 and the first connection member 74a is connected to the insertion
connecter 38a, the engagement member 90 is pushed away by the insertion connecter
38a, and engagement between the engagement member 90 and the engagement groove 88
is released.
[0036] Thus, the insertion connecter 38a, the engagement groove 88 and the engagement member
90 form switching means for keeping the high-frequency snare 50 in a fixed state wherein
the sheath 56 is fixed to the trap portion 72 while the trap portion 72 is detached
from the endoscope 24 and switching the high-frequency snare 50 to a released state
wherein this fixing is released when the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope
24.
[0037] Next, an operation of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment will
be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. There will hereinafter be described a
case wherein a polyp 92 is cut in a body cavity under observation with the endoscope
and the cut polyp 92 is sucked and gathered.
[0038] First, the insertion portion 26 of the endoscope 24 is inserted into the body cavity,
and the distal end of the insertion portion 26 is guided so that the polyp 92 falls
into a view field. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the plug member 40 is detached from the
endoscope 24, and the sheath 56 of the high-frequency snare 50 is inserted into the
insertion port 36d of the endoscope 24 and through the channel 34a. Subsequently,
as shown in FIG. 6, the first connection member 74a of the trap portion 72 of the
high-frequency snare 50 is connected to the insertion connecter 38a of the endoscope
24, and the second connection member 74b is connected to the suction connecter 38d,
whereby the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope 24. In this case, the engagement
member 90 is pushed away by the insertion connecter 38a to release the engagement
between the engagement member 90 and the engagement groove 88, so that the sheath
56 become movable forward and backward with respect to the trap portion 72.
[0039] Subsequently, the sheath 56 is pushed inward to protrude the distal end of the sheath
56 from the distal opening 36a of the insertion portion 26 of the endoscope 24. Then,
the slider 64 is moved forward with respect to the main body portion 62 of the snare
operating portion 60, the cutting wire 70 is protruded from the distal end of the
sheath 56 and expanded and opened into the loop shape, and the polyp 92 is caught
by the cutting wire 70. Subsequently, the slider 64 is moved backward with respect
to the main body portion 62, the cutting wire 70 is drawn into the sheath 56 and contracted
and closed to tighten the polyp 92. In this state, the high-frequency power source
is operated to pass the high-frequency current through the cutting wire 70, thereby
cutting the polyp 92. Such an operation is repeated to cut a plurality of polyps 92.
[0040] Afterward, the sheath 56 is pulled, and extracted from the channel 34a of the endoscope
24 and then from the insertion tube 76 of the capture portion 72. In this state, the
suction device is operated to suck the cut polyp 92 from the distal opening 36a of
the insertion portion 26 of the endoscope 24. As shown in FIG. 7, the sucked polyp
92 is sucked from the channel 34a of the endoscope 24 into the insertion tube 76,
the side tube 78 and the case 80 of the trap portion 72, and separated from the blood,
the soil and the like and captured, by the mesh portion 86 of the trap 84 in the case
80. Afterward, as shown in FIG. 8, the trap 84 is detached from the case 80, and the
polyp 92 captured by the mesh portion 86 is gathered and sent for pathological examination.
[0041] Therefore, the endoscope system of the present embodiment produces the following
effect. In the high-frequency snare 50 of the endoscope system according to the present
embodiment, the snare portion 52 for cutting the polyp 92 in the body cavity is integrally
connected to the trap portion 72 attached to the endoscope 24 and to capture the polyp
92 being sucked from the channel 34a into the suction duct 34d. Therefore, loss of
the trap portion 72, which is comparatively small and easily lost, is prevented. Moreover,
to prepare the endoscope system, through preparation of the high-frequency snare 50,
both the snare portion 52 and the trap portion 72 is simultaneously prepared and do
not have to be prepared separately or independently. Therefore, the preparation of
the endoscope system is facilitated. Furthermore, to suck the polyp 92, the channel
34a of the endoscope 24 is used. Therefore, a cross sectional area of the suction
passage orthogonal to the longitudinal axial direction thereof can be comparatively
enlarged, and a suction and gather efficiency is increased.
[0042] Moreover, the sheath 56 of the high-frequency snare 50 is movable forward and backward
in the longitudinal axial direction thereof with respect to the trap portion 72. Therefore,
even when the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope 24, the distal end of the
sheath 56 is movable forward and backward in the body cavity through operating the
sheath 56 to move forward and backward with respect to the trap portion 72. Therefore,
operability of the high-frequency snare 50 is improved.
[0043] Then, in the high-frequency snare 50, the sheath 56 is configured to be fixed to
the trap portion 72 through engaging the engagement member 90 of the first connection
member 74a of the trap portion 72 with the engagement groove 88 of the sheath 56 of
the snare portion 52. Therefore, when the snare portion 52 is not used, the sheath
56 is fixed to the trap portion 72 so that an unnecessary movement of the sheath 56
is prevented. Especially, the sheath 56 is fixed to the trap portion 72 before attaching
the trap portion 72 to the endoscope 24, whereby the sheath 56 is prevented from being
improperly moved while the trap portion 72 is being attached to the endoscope 24.
[0044] Furthermore, when the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope 24, the engagement
member 90 is pushed away by the insertion connecter 38a of the endoscope 24 to release
the engagement between the engagement member 90 and the engagement groove 88, and
the sheath 56 become automatically movable forward and backward with respect to the
trap portion 72. In consequence, an operation for releasing the engagement between
the engagement member 90 and the engagement groove 88 is not separately required,
and operability of the high-frequency snare 50 is improved.
[0045] FIGS. 9A to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention. A configuration
having a function similar to that of the first embodiment is denoted with the same
reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment,
when the sheath of the snare portion is pushed forward with respect to the trap portion,
the distal end of the sheath is inserted directly into the insertion port of the endoscope.
[0046] FIGS. 9A and 9B show the insertion connecter 38a and the suction connecter 38d of
the endoscope 24 of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment. A protruding
end surface of the insertion connecter 38a of the endoscope 24 is provided with a
pair of claw portions 94 protruded so as to face each other, and press protrusions
96 to cooperate with holding members 102 (see FIG. 11), described later, are formed
on inner sides of the pair of claw portions 94, respectively.
[0047] FIGS. 10 and 11 show the high-frequency snare 50 of the endoscope system according
to the present embodiment. A tubular member 98 fits into the distal end of the sheath
56 of the snare portion 52 of the high-frequency snare 50, and a protruding portion
100 is formed over the whole periphery of an outer peripheral surface of the distal
end of the sheath 56.
[0048] Then, an inner peripheral surface of the first connection member 74a of the trap
portion 72 is provided with a pair of holding members 102 so as to face each other,
and the distal end of the sheath 56 is releasably held by the pair of holding members
102.
[0049] That is, in each holding member 102, a pair of arm portions 106a, 106b are extended
from a hinge portion 104, and distal ends of the pair of arm portions 106a, 106b are
provided with engagement protrusions 108a, 108b, respectively. The holding member
102 is formed of an elastic material, the pair of arm portions 106a, 106b are urged
about the hinge portion 104 in a closing direction, and the engagement protrusions
108a, 108b of the pair of arm portions 106a, 106b are engaged with a distal end side
and a rear end side of the protruding portion 100 at the distal end of the sheath
56, respectively. Thus, the distal end of the sheath 56 is held by the pair of holding
members 102.
[0050] On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 9A to 11, window portions 110 are formed through
the first connection member 74a on rear surface sides of the hinge portions 104 of
the holding members 102. Then, when the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope
24 and the insertion connecter 38a of the endoscope 24 is connected to the first connection
member 74a, the claw portions 94 of the insertion connecter 38a are arranged on an
outer peripheral surface side of the first connection member 74a, and the press protrusions
96 of the claw portions 94 press back surfaces of the hinge portions 104 of the holding
members 102 via the window portions 110. Then, the pressed holding members 102 are
elastically deformed to open the pair of arm portions 106a, 106b about the hinge portion
104, engagement between the engagement protrusions 108a, 108b and the protruding portion
100 of the sheath 56 is released, and the sheath 56 become movable forward and backward
with respect to the first connection member 74a.
[0051] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the claw portions 94, the window
portions 110 and the holding members 102 form switch means.
[0052] It is to be noted that the first connection member 74a is formed of a rigid material,
and a connection end surface of the first connection member 74a is covered with a
packing 103 for communicating the insertion port 36d of the endoscope 24 with the
communication path 82 of the trap portion 72 airtightly.
[0053] Next, an operation of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment will
be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. The trap portion 72 is previously arranged
at the distal end of the snare portion 52, the plug member 40 is detached from the
endoscope 24, and the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope 24. As shown in
FIG. 12, before the first connection member 74a is connected to the insertion connecter
38a, the distal end of the sheath 56 of the high-frequency snare 50 is held by the
holding member 102, and the sheath 56 is fixed to the trap portion 72. As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14, when the first connection member 74a is connected to the insertion
connecter 38a, the press protrusions 96 of the claw portions 94 of the insertion connecter
38a press the back surfaces of the hinge portions 104 of the holding members 102 via
the window portions 110 of the first connection member 74a, the pair of arm portions
106a, 106b are opened about each hinge portion 104, and the holding of the sheath
56 by the holding members 102 is released, whereby the sheath 56 become movable forward
and backward with respect to the trap portion 72. In this state, the distal end surface
of the sheath 56 is arranged so as to face the insertion port 36d of the endoscope
24 and, through pushing the sheath 56 inwards, the sheath 56 is inserted into the
insertion port 36d directly and through a channel 34a.
[0054] Therefore, the endoscope system of the present embodiment has the following effect.
In the present embodiment, through arranging the trap portion 72 of the high-frequency
snare 50 at the distal end of the sheath 56 and attaching the trap portion 72 to the
endoscope 24, the distal end surface of the sheath 56 of the high-frequency snare
50 is arranged so as to face the insertion port 36d of the endoscope 24. Therefore,
when the sheath 56 is moved forward with respect to the trap portion 72, the sheath
56 is inserted directly into the insertion port 36d and through the channel 34a. In
this manner, an inserting operation of the sheath 56 into the channel 34a is facilitated.
[0055] FIGS. 15 to 22B show a third embodiment of the present invention. A configuration
having a function similar to that of the second embodiment is denoted with the same
reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the endoscope of the present
embodiment, a channel for insertion of the sheath of the high-frequency snare is formed
separately from a channel for the suction of a polyp or the like.
[0056] FIG. 15 shows the endoscope 24 of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment.
The endoscope 24 of the present embodiment is provided with a first channel 34b having
a configuration similar to that of the channel 34a (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) of the second
embodiment. Furthermore, the endoscope 24 is provided with a second channel 34c for
insertion of the sheath 56 (see FIGS. 16A and 16b) of the high-frequency snare 50
separately from the first channel 34b. In the same manner as in the first channel
34b, a distal end of the second channel 34c forms a second distal opening 36c, and
a proximal end of the second channel 34c forms a second insertion port 36f as a proximal
opening in a second insertion connecter 38c of the operating portion 28. Then, the
first insertion port 36e of the first channel 34b, the suction opening 36g and the
second insertion port 36f are arranged so as to form a vertex of a triangle.
[0057] The plug member 40 is detachably attached to a first insertion connecter 38b of the
first channel 34b, the suction connecter 38d and the second insertion connecter 38c.
This plug member 40 is provided with a first communication path 42a to communicate
the first insertion port 36e with suction opening 36g and having a configuration similar
to that of the communication path 42 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) of the second embodiment.
The plug member 40 is provided with a second communication path 42b extending so as
to lengthen the second channel 34c in a state wherein the plug member 40 is attached
to the second insertion connecter 38c. This second communication path 42b includes
a second channel opening 46b and a second lid member 48b having configurations similar
to those of a first channel opening 46a of the first communication path 42a and a
first lid member 48a.
[0058] Moreover, a protruding end surface of the second insertion connecter 38c is provided
with a pair of protruding claw portions 94 including press protrusions 96 to cooperate
with a holding member 102 (see FIGS. 18A and 18B) described later, respectively.
[0059] FIGS. 16A to 18C show the high-frequency snare 50 of the endoscope system according
to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 16A to 17, in the trap portion 72 of
the high-frequency snare 50 according to the present embodiment, inner cavities of
the first connection member 74a, an L-shaped tube 105, the case 80 and the second
connection member 74b form the communication path 82. Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17,
unlike the second embodiment, the first connection member 74a is formed of an elastic
material, and connected to the first insertion connecter 38b of the endoscope 24 airtightly
to communicate the first insertion port 36e with the communication path 82. The first
connection member 74a is connected to the case 80 via the L-shaped tube 105, and the
case 80 is connected to the second connection member 74b.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 18A to 18C, in the trap portion 72, a third connection member 74c
to be connected to the second insertion connecter 38c is connected to one end of the
insertion tube 76, and the sheath 56 of the snare portion 52 is extractably inserted
into the insertion tube 76 and the third connection member 74c.
[0061] That is, the third connection member 74c connected to one end of the insertion tube
76 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the substantially cylindrical holding
member 102 is disposed coaxially in this third connection member 74c. It is to be
noted that a clearance is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the third
connection member 74c and an outer peripheral surface of the holding member 102 so
as to allow elastic deformation of the holding member 102 described later. Here, an
outer periphery of a cross section of a distal end of the sheath 56 of the snare portion
52 of the high-frequency snare 50, orthogonal to a longitudinal axial direction thereof,
has a substantially elliptic shape, and the distal end of the sheath 56 is provided
with a pair of protruding portions 100 protruding in mutually opposite directions
in one axial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis thereof. Then, the distal
end of the sheath 56 is inserted into the holding member 102, and an inside diameter
of the holding member 102 is larger than a minor axis of the elliptic shape of the
distal end of the sheath 56, and shorter than a major axis. Therefore, the protruding
portions 100 of the sheath 56 press an inner peripheral surface of the holding member
102 to elastically deform the holding member 102, and engage with the inner peripheral
surface of the holding member 102.
[0062] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18A to 18C, the pair of window portions
110 is formed through the third connection member 74c so as to face each other with
a central axis of the third connection member 74c between them. Then, in the same
manner as in the second embodiment, when the trap portion 72 is attached to the endoscope
24, the press protrusions 96 of the claw portions 94 of the second insertion connecter
38c press the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 102 via the window portions
110. The pressed holding member 102 is compressed and deformed in a pressed direction,
and outer and inner peripheries of a cross section orthogonal to a central axial direction
thereof become a substantially elliptic shape wherein the pressed direction is a minor
axial direction. Here, the distal end of the sheath 56 is arranged so that the minor
axial direction of the elliptic shape of the outer periphery of the cross section
substantially matches with the pressed direction. Then, the major and minor axes of
the elliptic shape of the inner periphery of the cross section of the deformed holding
member 102 become longer than those of the elliptic shape of the outer periphery of
the cross section of the sheath 56, respectively (see FIG. 22C), and the engagement
between the holding member 102 and the protruding portions 100 of the sheath 56 is
released, so that the sheath 56 become movable forward and backward with respect to
the third connection member 74c.
[0063] Next, an operation of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment will
be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22C. As shown in FIG. 19, the plug member
40 is detached from the endoscope 24, and the trap portion 72 of the high-frequency
snare 50 is attached to the endoscope 24. In this case, the first connection member
74a is connected to the first insertion connecter 38b, the second connection member
74b is connected to the suction connecter 38d, and the third connection member 74c
is connected to the second insertion connecter 38c.
[0064] As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the first channel 34b is connected to the suction
duct 34d via the communication path 82 of the trap portion 72.
[0065] Moreover, referring to FIG. 21, before the third connection member 74c is connected
to the second insertion connecter 38c, the protruding portions 100 of the sheath 56
of the high-frequency snare 50 press the inner peripheral surface of the holding member
102 to elastically deform the holding member 102, and engage with the holding member
102, whereby the sheath 56 is fixed to the trap portion 72. Then, when the third connection
member 74c is connected to the second insertion connecter 38c, as shown in FIGS. 22A
to 22C, the press protrusions 96 of the claw portions 94 of the second insertion connecter
38c press the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 102 via the window portions
110 of the second connection member 74b. The pressed holding member 102 is elastically
deformed into the elliptic cross sectional shape, the major and minor axes of the
elliptic shape of the inner periphery of the cross section are larger than those of
the elliptic shape of the outer periphery of the cross section of the sheath 56, respectively,
the engagement between the holding member 102 and the protruding portions 100 of the
sheath 56 is released, and the sheath 56 become movable forward and backward with
respect to the trap portion 72.
[0066] Afterward, the sheath 56 is pushed inwards, the sheath 56 is inserted through the
second channel 34c from the second insertion port 36f, and the distal end of the sheath
is protruded from the second distal opening 36c at the distal end of the endoscope
24 to perform a cutting operation of a polyp 92. When the cut polyp 92 is sucked and
gathered, the sheath 56 is not extracted from the second channel 34c, and the polyp
92 is sucked from a first distal opening 36b into the first channel 34b and then the
communication path 82, and captured by the mesh portion 86. Subsequently, the cutting,
and the sucking and gathering of the polyp 92 are successively repeated.
[0067] Therefore, the endoscope system of the present embodiment produces the following
effect. In the endoscope 24 of the present embodiment, the second channel 34c for
the insertion of the sheath 56 of the high-frequency snare 50 is formed separately
from and independently of the first channel 34b for the sucking and gathering of the
cut polyp 92. Therefore, when the polyp 92 is sucked and gathered, the snare does
not have to be extracted from the endoscope 24, and the cutting, and the sucking and
gathering of the polyp 92 can easily be repeated.
[0068] In the above embodiments, the endoscope system to cut, and suck and gather the polyp
92 has been described as an example, but the present invention is applicable to any
endoscope system to separate a part of a living tissue therefrom in a body cavity
under observation with the endoscope and suck and gather the separated tissue.
1. Endoskopsystem aufweisend: ein Endoskop (24) und ein endoskopisches Zusatzgerät (50),
wobei das Endoskop (24) aufweist:
einen länglichen, mit seinem distalen Ende in eine Körperöffnung einführbaren Einführabschnitt
(26);
einen mit einem proximalen Ende des Einführabschnitts (26) verbundenen Betätigungsabschnitt
(28);
einen Kanal (34a, 34b), der in dem Einführabschnitt (26) und dem Betätigungsabschnitt
(28) vorgesehen ist, von dem ein proximales Ende eine proximale Öffnung (36d, 36e)
an dem Betätigungsabschnitt (28) bildet und wenigstens zum Saugen verwendet wird,
und
einen an dem Betätigungsabschnitt (28) vorgesehenen Saugkanal (34d), von dem ein distales
Ende eine Saugöffnung (36g) an dem Betätigungsabschnitt (28) bildet und dessen proximales
Ende mit einer Saugvorrichtung verbunden ist,
wobei das endoskopische Zusatzgerät (50) aufweist:
einen länglichen Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56), der mit seinem distalen Ende in eine
Körperöffnung einführbar ist;
einen Behandlungsabschnitt (70), der an dem distalen Ende des Zusatzeinführabschnitts
(56) vorgesehen ist, und dazu ausgebildet ist, einen Teil eines lebenden Gewebes abzutrennen,
gekennzeichnet durch einen Auffangabschnitt (72), der mit dem Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56) verbindbar und
abnehmbar an dem Betätigungsabschnitt (28) des Endoskops (24) anbringbar ist, wobei
der Auffangabschnitt (72) aufweist:
einen Verbindungskanal (82) zum Verbinden der proximalen Öffnung (36d, 36e) mit der
Saugöffnung (36g), wenn der Auffangabschnitt (72) an dem Endoskop (24) angebracht
ist, wobei Auffangmittel (86) in dem Verbindungskanal (82) angeordnet sind, um das
durch den Kanal (34a, 34b) in den Saugkanal (34d) gesaugte Gewebe aufzufangen.
2. Endoskopsystem nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Auffangabschnitt (72) mit dem Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56) derart verbunden ist,
dass der Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56) vorwärts und rückwärts in Richtung der Längsachse
des Zusatzeinführabschnitts (56) bezüglich des Auffangabschnitts (72) bewegbar ist.
3. Endoskopsystem nach Anspruch 2,
gekennzeichnet durch ein Schaltmittel (38a, 88, 90; 94, 102, 110) zum Schalten des endoskopischen Zusatzgeräts
zwischen einem befestigten Zustand, in dem der Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56) an dem
Auffangabschnitt (72) befestigt ist, und einem freigebenden Zustand, in dem die Befestigung
gelöst ist.
4. Endoskopsystem nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Schaltmittel (38a, 88, 90; 94, 102, 110) das endoskopische Zusatzgerät (50) in
einen befestigten Zustand bringt, wenn der Auffangabschnitt (72) von dem Endoskop
(24) abgenommen ist, und das endoskopische Zusatzgerät (50) in den freigegebenen Zustand
bringt, wenn der Auffangabschnitt (72) an dem Endoskop (24) angebracht ist.
5. Endoskopsystem nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kanal (34a, 34b) derart ausgebildet ist, dass der Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56)
durch den Kanal (34a, 34b) von der proximalen Öffnung (36d, 36e) einführbar ist und
der Auffangabschnitt (72) derart an dem distalen Ende des Zusatzeinführabschnitts
(56) angeordnet ist und eine distale Endfläche des Zusatzeinführabschnitts (56) gegenüber
der proximalen Öffnung (36d, 36e) angeordnet ist, wenn der Auffangabschnitt (72) an
dem distalen Ende des Zusatzeinführabschnitts (56) angeordnet und an dem Endoskop
(24) angebracht ist.
6. Endoskopsystem nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Endoskop (24) ferner einen weiteren Kanal (34c) aufweist, der an dem Einführabschnitt
(26) und dem Betätigungsabschnitt (28) vorgesehen ist, dessen distales Ende eine weitere
distale Öffnung (36c) an dem distalen Ende des Einführabschnitts (26) bildet, und
von dem das proximale Ende eine weitere proximale Öffnung (36f) an dem Betätigungsabschnitt
(28) bildet, durch die der Zusatzeinführabschnitt (56) von der weiteren proximalen
Öffnung (36f) einführbar ist.